Relationship with Jesus Christ
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more… filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Php 1:9-11)
You are warmly welcome!
Are you friends with Jesus Christ? Relationship is a kind of association between people and people, people and organisation, organisation and organisation, and perhaps countries with other countries. God Himself is a God of relationship, and so is His Son Jesus Christ. While giving the two greatest commandments Jesus emphatically pointed to the importance of the relationship between man with God, and man with fellow man. ‘Love’ is demanded twice, and Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is that ‘love may abound’. Jesus himself had a relationship with God as well as with Mary and Joseph. He went ahead to have relationship with his disciples, as well as with everyone in the Jewish communities. More so, the Lord Jesus Christ still enjoys relationship with whoever accepts Him in their lives in this era.
Two sisters and a brother enjoyed a close relationship with Jesus Christ. Martha, Mary and Lazarus lived regularly hosted this friend at their home in Bethany and listened attentively to his teachings. According to John 12, this Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. When Lazarus fell sick and died, the sisters each sung the chorus: ’If you had been here, my brother would not have died’. The ensuing emotional conversation moved the Lord to tears! And the crowd witnessed how he loved them. The resurrection miracle that followed was telling of both Jesus’ love and power.
From the story of the two sisters, we learn that to maintain a relationship with Jesus Christ, obedience and sacrifice are paramount. Obedience: People took away the stone that was covering the tomb where Lazarus lay for four days, even when nature dictated that there was a bad odor (John 11:39-41). For our relationship to be friendly with Jesus, we need to be obedient to Him in all the circumstances even in matters beyond our understanding and logic. Sacrifice: Mary sacrificed her expensive perfume and her time so that she would be more devoted to her friend Jesus. Such sacrifice shows total surrender and trust. Jesus too sacrificed time for His friends. Jesus commended Mary for having chosen the best thing which was listening to His teachings (Luke 10:42). What is it that you are sacrificing for the sake of your relationship with God?
Friends, all relationships are important to us but the most important one is that with Jesus Christ. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is really his prayer for all of us – that love may abound more and more… filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. It starts with you accepting Him in your life and giving yourself to live in obedience and full surrender. Keep the commitment to this relationship all the way to the end.
God bless you all.